Stages 0-1. Preparation, Survey and Brief
This is where we lay the foundations for everything that follows. A thorough survey and a well-written brief mean the design work that comes next is focused, efficient, and genuinely responds to your home and your needs.
We start with a measured survey of the critical areas of the existing house, including any current extensions, with drawings forming the basis of all design work, construction details, and cost estimates. From our discussion on site we then create your brief document, establishing your needs, preferences, and requirements for the new extension and any interior layout changes. This guides the whole process and clearly outlines the scope of work.
What to Expect on the Day
We’ll need access to most of the house to measure, which typically takes between three and eight hours. We can work around you at the house, or you can be out for the day, as suits your schedule. If you’re working from home we’ll work around your schedule.
On the day we’ll also need access to any manholes or drainage covers where possible, and we’ll ask for any drawings or information from previous work to the house, along with your current energy bills.
Directly after the survey we’ll sit down together to discuss your brief, or this can happen online at another time if that’s easier. We’ll cover your priorities, wishlist, budget, and anything that’s important to the project. A first draft brief is then emailed to you for review, and a refined version is sent for your final sign-off. We’ll also note any opportunities for energy retrofit, as well as risks and benefits to be aware of. Where there are doubts about the performance of the existing building, we use a thermal imaging camera to gain the clearest possible picture of the whole house.
As we close out this stage, you’ll receive your own personalised, interactive project Gantt chart, giving you a clear timeline of what happens when, from survey through to completion.
From clients
“This has been my/our first experience of working with an architect and we have both been really impressed with the service you have provided… the project planner is a very useful reference tool. As a client it’s very easy to understand and read, giving a clear indication where you are in the process.” Dave R – Bath
“During your initial visit you approached the work in a logical way and truly listened to what we wanted… Your flow-charts explaining the process definitely appealed to the project manager in me. I really felt that you were a professional that we could enjoy working with over the life of this project.” David and Claire F – Bristol
“In the very first meeting where we discussed what we were hoping to achieve it was obvious we were speaking to someone who could be trusted… What has really stood out throughout is just how much she listens and picks out the things that really matter to us… It is so clear that Verity really cares about getting things right for her clients, and her enthusiasm for her work and making our house the best possible home it can be really shines through.” Paul Mahoney, Bath
Included in Stage 0-1:
- Survey the relevant areas of the existing house.
- One meeting to discuss and develop the brief, on site or online
- Brief written up, amended, and signed off by you
- Existing building plans and elevations drawn up in the format required for planning submission
- Personalised interactive project timeline.
Overall Project Timeline:
Stage 0-1 > Stage 2-3 > Stage 3b > Stage 4a > Stage 4b > Stage 4c > Stage 4d > Stage 5a
Next Stage – Stage 2-3. Scheme Design:
